CHAPARRAL

If I had to utter a single statement that summarizes why I love Glendale Community College, it is that the faculty cares. We are dedicated to helping students and innovating in the classroom. We speak continuously with one another about how to be more effective, sharing tips on classroom management and student motivation. We engage in Staff Development activities in the hope of finding a new way to encourage student learning. The level of care is undeniable.

This faculty commitment grew, in no small part, because of our faculty-driven programs. From the 1980s through the 90s, under former President John Davitt, the faculty were encouraged to come up with innovations and empowered to implement them. And with the recent changes in our administration, we are returning to greater faculty involvement and recognition on this campus.

But such a renaissance is dependent upon you as a faculty member. In order for GCC to renew that nostalgic Camelot era, we must all reassess how we participate in campus life. A faculty-centered campus relies—obviously—upon active faculty who operate at the core of decision making. The key, therefore, is reinvigorating our governance system through new faculty involvement.

“I would like to help,” you might be thinking, “but how do I get involved?” Don’t worry, it is easy. All you have to do is keep your eyes and ears open, and the opportunities will present themselves. I became active on this campus almost on a whim. Before I was even tenured I “raised my hand,” to present a Native American dance as part of the Humanities/Social Science Lecture Series in Kreider Hall. People all of a sudden recognized me, so that led me to think I might “raise my hand” again to get more involved by running for the Academic Senate—after all, I had already attended several Senate meetings on issues of interest. I won an at-large seat and began serving. Once in the Senate, I continued to serve on a variety of task forces and committees. Within the Social Sciences Division I decided to “raise my hand” to serve as the Assistant Chair under newly elected Chair Steve White. After only a few months, when Steve White became the interim Vice President of Instruction, I was asked to take on the duties of Division Chair. Since that time, over eight years ago, I have continued to serve on various committees, participate in division affairs, and even write articles for the Chaparral. I did not set out to become an active member of the campus community, I simply saw needs arise around me and decided that—since I did love this campus—I would step up and volunteer. It is that easy.

Now it is your turn. The campus is at a turning point, where new faculty members are replacing old. While the new energy is exciting and promising, I often worry that the “old days” will be forgotten. We cannot afford to forget the personalized, faculty-driven campus that was GCC for so many years. The obstacles to rejuvenating this attitude are clear—several years under an unpopular President followed by the current budget problems—yet the need has never been greater. I am calling on the faculty of GCC, both new and old, to find a way to pitch in and make a difference. Sponsor a student organization. Serve on a governance committee. Read and make comments on the accreditation document. Write an article for the Chaparral. The opportunities are there, waiting for you.

Raise your hand.

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